Mercury Retrograde

Ghost Period: January 22, 2014 -February 02, 2014

Intensity Period: February 03, 2014 -February 27, 2014

Motion Direct: February 28, 2014 -March 20, 2014

On January 22, 2014, Mercury – A trickster of communication, appointments, travel and legal issues goes backwards in time through its shadow period and continues to intensify. The most intense period will be from February 3 through 28 and the 6th will be the most difficult time. From February 28, 2014 through March 20, 2014 it will begin to straighten forwards leaving behind answers of the past and assisting us in understanding issues of communications.

This retrograde begins its journey in Aquarius which usually represents friendship and large groups of people, or even organizations, until February 18, 2014. Thereafter it moves backwards in motion until March 20, 2014 in the sign of Pisces which is our spiritual nature.

According to Vedic astrology, though Venus is not highly emphasized, Venus is continuing to move retrograde until February 20, 2014. Therefore, 2 planets which have to do with communication and love are both moving retrograde from January 22 through February 20, 2014. This means that relationships are being reconsidered. Love life may fizzle; Money may be dripping instead of a steady flow. Women may be difficult to get along with – these are all the markings of femininity and creativity which Venus represents.

Since mercury rules mutable signs, everyone is being taken hostage in this grand time of communication, deception, and confusion. Those that will be impacted by Mercury will be almost everyone, including but not limited to Aquarius, Pisces, Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, and all those that have any of these planets as their primary in their charts.

This traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth, with relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way, due to this optical illusion.

Retrograde periods, although often problematic are not particularly unusual. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Mercury, much like the winged messenger of the gods, comes in on feather-light wings and commands us to speak. Communication, emotion and consciousness are all within Mercury’s domain, as are reason and rational, our manner of thinking, and how we create and express our thought processes.

A mercurial nature brings to mind impatience and motion. Rat-a-tat-tat — things happen fast here. Mercury is about a fast wit, quick thinking, options, opinions, reasoning and the ability to vindicate things. Mercurial energy can be good or bad, but it will certainly be energizing! This Planet also prompts us to move from one thing to the next and to get answers on both a physical and psychological level. Further, Mercury’s energy is both agile and observant. Therefore it speeds up things so fast that sometimes we can say or do things without thinking about it and regret later.

Mercury is about short trips: a visit to a neighbor or a friend across town, the workday travel, and a weekend getaway. Siblings and transportation in general, are also within Mercury’s realm. Communication, writing, books, online communications and learning are all within Mercury’s domain. This Planet implores us to prompt ourselves often — and well. When Mercury goes retrograde (the appearance of traveling backward), however, our communication will be challenged. Because Mercury rules communication and transportation, these two areas are most influenced during a Mercury Retrograde.

Dialogues might be more problematic, as crossed signals and unclear meanings confuse normally straightforward discussions. Still, with a little caution and consideration, you’ll get your point across. Similarly, be prepared with a back-up plan when you’re traveling. If your flight gets canceled or your car won’t start, remain calm and make the best of it.

Remember, we can use this powerful energy in positive ways. Everyone is going to be affected: Saturn planet of difficult lessons is in Scorpio until 2015, this is work related and hard lessons where ever the Saturn positions itself and it will affect all fixed signs especially Scorpio however it too will retrograde from February 24, 2014 through July 24, 2014. Venus is also retrograde until February 20, 2014 which affects all relationships whether it is love relationships or even work related. Mars is also retrograding from February 24, 2014 through May 24, 2014, you may become lazy or may feel a little bit weak to work out or do strenuous things at least bosses may be a little nice to you. Jupiter is currently retrograding since beginning of November 2013 and will continue to retrograde until the 2nd week of March, where luck may not be on your side. This is quite a intense period of time for many. Use this time to do activities that start with “re”: renew, repair, review, renegotiate, and research.

In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information, and all means of communication, commerce and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially people who work with their minds or their wits: authors and speakers, observers and opponents, blabbermouths and rotation doctors, tricksters and thieves.

After the 18th of February, Mercury retro in Pisces creates spiritual and passionate confusion, with strange dreams sometimes leading to psychic experiences. Mental processes being entwined with emotions, we find it hard to separate ideas and opinions from passion and idealism. Our mental alignment can be unbalanced, impracticable and overly-spiritual but it also inclines to lethargy and increases the urge to consume alcohol.

With all these energies, it is bound to get a little confused be very well prepared.

Anxiety and pressure even groundless fears and paranoia are stimulated, especially from working or living in a hostile environment, incline to a sharp, sarcastic tongue. Maintain confidentiality and self-respect in the working environment and do not try to read between the lines when there is really nothing to find.

No matter what planet Mercury is in, Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misinterpretations; damaged, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. All of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray, or awry. When Mercury is retrograde, everyone’s thinking is more meditative and we tend to think about issues and concerns that relate to the sign involved.

There is, however, an opportunity to gain insight into one’s own ego. Mercury sets out to reorganize our thinking processes and for many of us, this is painful and frustrating. Moreover, these experiences reveal flaws in our internal organization as well as our external planning, which can make us feel foolish and inadequate. All areas of communication are affected. Methods and inspiration for learning, communication and transportation are subject to difficulties under this aspect.

It brings travel snafus and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.

The good things to do when Mercury is Retrograde: think, envision, edit the book/poem/song/essay you’ve been writing, clean house, talk to your pet, listen to music, paint, and catch up on sleep!

Mercury is a very slow moving planet and it affects almost all planetary signs. It is my suggestion that you purchase a yellow candle and carve your name through the wick. Anoint the candle with Inspiration oil or Eucalyptus oil and chant psalm 70 every single night. This period will last for 3 weeks and it will be hard on all of us. This will allow friendly communications as well as understandings in situations. You may also choose to recite a mantra every morning until March 26. Remember that with all applications of psalms and mantras, achieving the desired result is dependent upon the quality of intention, and when it comes to finding satisfying relationships, it is of the greatest importance to begin with a clear understanding of what your goal should be. The mantras can be hard to pronounce for many but are a powerful source of energy. I have chosen two mantras for you during this mercury retrograde:

“Om Budhaya Namaha”

(Om Bood-han-yah Nahm-ah-ha)

“Om and salutations to Buddha, presiding spirit of planet mercury”

These mantras are used to achieve mental clarity, to avoid and overcome misunderstandings and keep friendly communications flowing.

Remember, these are general tendencies and not directed only to a specific person. For the most in-depth astrological reading please contact anyone of my favorite astrologers who can assist you in finding how intense this period will be for you. You can find a list of their direct links here

Vedic readings have a unique prospective. We find the false and find solutions by creating an aura of understanding through actions and reactions. Astrology is just the ground work to mystification of Vedic readings. I am not an astrologer nor do I claim to be however, basic understanding in astrology does assist us in applying what we know to what we need to know to embrace the energy and direct it to the most positive outcome.

Please use this energy well to re-energize and find your answers because there is a bumpy road ahead with the eclipses. Two will be in April and two will be in October. Two are in the sign of cardinal and the other two are in fixed signs. Be gentle with yourself.